High Demand Nursing Specialties That Require An MSN Degree

Common wisdom has it that the more education you have, the better chance you have at career advancement. In general, that advice is sound. But when you're slogging away at the textbooks, motivation needs a boost with some concrete examples. Here are some nursing specialties in which a nursing master's degree is the norm. Is your dream job among them? If so, you'll want to pursue that MSN degree with all the zeal you have!

1. Certified Nurse-Midwife

Nurse-Midwifery is an Advanced Practice profession. An increasing number of employers and states require you to have a master's degree in nursing before you can become a licensed certified nurse-midwife. According to the American College of Nurse Midwives, 70% of nurse-midwives hold masters' degrees. This incredibly rewarding profession will never become redundant, and more and more women are turning to Nurse-Midwives for their ongoing health care needs. [ Find Nurse-Midwifery Programs ]

2. Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical Nurse Specialists are Advanced Practice nurses who hold at least a master’s degree in their nursing specialty. Clinical Nurse Specialists enjoy a much larger scope of practice than many other nurses, as they are able to diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and disabilities within their specialty with a great deal of autonomy. This role also offers more leadership opportunities--for example, you might act as an expert consultant for a nursing staff or edit professional publications. [ Find Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs ]

3. Nurse-Anesthetist

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, or CRNAs, are Advanced Practice nurses who provide anesthesia care to millions of patients every year in the US. Since CRNAs provide similar services to anesthesiologists but charge far less, the demand for their care continues to rise in hospitals and private clinics. As with other Advanced Practice nursing specialities, a master's degree in nursing is required. Nurse-Anesthetists command the highest average salaries of all the nursing professions. [ See CRNA: Could You Make the Grade? ]

4. Nurse Practitioner

This is also an Advanced Practice clinical profession. All Nurse Practitioners are required to have a master's degree. One Nurse Practitioner who attained her master's degree through an accelerated program reports that since the 1990s, "...I've been working mostly with adult and geriatric populations, and I can't say I've ever been without a job." (Tomasita Jacubowitz, Nurse Practitioner, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro)
[ Find Nurse Practitioner Programs ]

5. Nurse Researcher

Nearly all Nurse Researchers launch their careers with a four-year degree. Afterwards, the majority will pursue a master’s degree in nursing. If you want to do advanced nursing research, you'll probably follow up your MSN degree with a doctorate-level degree. Darcy, a Nurse Researcher from Eugene, Oregon, says, "I knew very early on that I would want to do research in some really specialized areas so I went for my Master's right after getting my RN license. Do I have any regrets? No, no, and no. I love my job."

6. Nurse Educator

If you choose to go into teaching or training, you will have a strong influence over the next generation of nurses, so it's important that you make the most of your own education. Most Nurse Educators attain a master’s degree in nursing. If you want to teach at the university level, a doctorate may be required. Education often has strong ties with administration and research, so after getting your master's you will have the freedom to explore related possibilities in those areas too. Because of the nursing shortage, qualified Nurse Educators are in high demand. [ Find Nurse Educator Programs ]

7. Nurse Executive

Nurse Executives practice across a wide range of disciplines. They are leaders who play strong parts in designing patient care delivery systems and promoting the discipline of nursing. As a Nurse Executive, you will foster powerful connections with the community and may often act as an agent of positive change. You will need a master’s degree in nursing or a related discipline, often followed up with a PhD.

8. Nurse Administrator

While you may see many RNs or LPNs working at an administrative level, it's difficult to advance into administrative leadership roles without a master's degree. Nurse Administrators work as managers, directors, analysts, systems administrators and many more. One Nurse Administrator from Golden, Colorado says, "I believe I would have eventually got to where I am today but it would have been painfully slow...my Master's degree made it possible for me to confidently ask for and be given...a dream promotion."
[ Read Nursing Administrators in the 21st Century ]

As you probably noticed, four of the above nursing specialties are Advanced Practice professions and the other four are not. Are these eight the only nursing jobs that require MSN degrees? Absolutely not!

Depending on the specific job requirements, a graduate level nursing degree may be a stipulation for an interview in any profession from managed care to nursing informatics. And as nursing practice becomes increasingly more complex and responsive to patient needs, more specialties may require Master of Science in Nursing preparation. Get ahead of the game by applying to accredited online nursing graduate programs today.

Take the First Step Towards Your MSN Degree Today

Earn Your Master's Degree in Nursing Online
Advance your career in nursing with a Master of Science in Nursing degree from your choice of online nursing schools offering accredited online nursing graduate programs that match your needs. Take the first step towards earning your MSN degree by requesting additional program information from schools that interest you: Explore Online MSN Degree Programs

Western Governors University

Campus

At Western Governors University, your competence - the knowledge and skills you possess - is the ultimate focus of every degree program.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
• M.S. in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option)
• B.S. in Nursing

Campus Locations:

San Francisco

The College Network

Online

Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.

Programs:

• RN to MS in Nursing - Regis University (Licensed RNs only)
• LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• Paramedic to RN

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - RN Track
• M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track
• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education

American Sentinel University Online

Online

Advance your career with the right online degree. ACCIS offers self-paced, real-world programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, and Business Administration.

Programs:

• RN to MS Nursing
• RN to BS Nursing
• MS Nursing - Case Management

Saint Xavier University

Campus

Saint Xavier University is a Catholic, coeducational, comprehensive university focused on the liberal arts, and offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students across the country.

Programs:

• MSN in Executive Leadership
• MSN in Clinical Leadership
• Nurse Educator Certificate

Campus Locations:

Chicago

South University - Campus

Campus

With over 100 years of educational excellence, South University can give you the outstanding instruction and personalized attention you need to prepare for the real world. We offer a variety of degree programs which can be earned online or at one of our five campus locations. Options include Business Administration, Information Technology, Nursing, Criminal Justice, and more.

Programs:

• Nursing (RN-MSN)
• Nursing (RN-BSN)
• Nurse Educator (MS)

Campus Locations:

Tampa
Savannah
Columbia
Montgomery
West Palm Beach
Cleveland
Virginia Beach
Glen Allen

Olivet Nazarene University - Graduate and Continuing Studies

Campus

Advance your career with Olivet Nazarene University - Graduate and Continuing Studies. We offer continuing education certificates and master's degrees in history, counseling, religion, business, education, and nursing, plus a Doctorate of Education in Ethical Leadership.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Certification - Family Nurse Practitioner

Campus Locations:

Bourbonnais

Liberty University

Campus

We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university. The vision of our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., is to keep Liberty's Distance Learning Program affordable so as many individuals as possible can experience a Christ-centered education and become equipped for excellence, professionally as well as spiritually.

Programs:

• BS in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Campus Locations:

Lynchburg

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
• BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Campus Locations:

Online
Phoenix
Costa Mesa
Ontario
Tucson
Los Angeles
Sacramento
Pasadena
Sugar Land
San Antonio
Troy
Spring
San Diego
Rancho Cordova
Maitland
Palm Beach Gardens
Daytona Beach
Independence
Southfield
Murrieta
Ann Arbor
Houston
Tampa
Littleton
Beachwood
Miami
Westminster
Las Vegas
Chandler
Baton Rouge
Livermore
Sarasota
Livonia
Jacksonville
Lancaster
Fresno
Roseville
Manassas
Henderson
Reston
Woodland Hills
Temple Terrace
Gardena
Salida
Flint
Diamond Bar
Hurst
Irving
Aurora
Westlake
Lone Tree
Saint Louis
St. Louis
Elk Grove
San Jose
Dallas
East Lansing
Fairfax
Plantation
Arlington
San Francisco
Clinton Township
Killeen
Clearwater
Fort Lauderdale
Fairfield
Grand Rapids
St Louis Park
Mesa
Lathrop
Nashville
Hollywood
Oakland
Saint Paul
Bakersfield
Orlando
Palm Desert
Portage

South University Online

Campus

South University enjoys a long-standing tradition of excellence in education and personalized student attention. Enjoy the convenience of earning your bachelor's degree entirely online.

Programs:

• Nursing (BSN)

Campus Locations:

Savannah

University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• RN to BS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Anna Maria College

Online

Start your career with an education from Anna Maria College. We are a private, not-for-profit, regionally accredited university that offers online degree programs as an alternative to our traditional campus courses.

Programs:

• RN to BSN

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Accelerated BSN
• PN RN Associate Degree Bridge Program
• Associate Degree in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Miami
Largo
Nashville
Indianapolis
Westerville
Dayton
Cincinnati
Pensacola
Salt Lake City
Tampa
Richmond
Erie
Cuyahoga Falls
Scranton
Birmingham
Ravenna
Phoenix
Smyrna